Bolivia: More than just a pit-stop between Peru and Chile
Bolivia is not a place that always tops travelers’ lists, but those who discount this lesser-known South American country would be wise to reconsider their options. Far from being merely a country to pass through on the way from Peru to Chile, Bolivia is a wonderland of stunning sights, ancient culture, unique experiences and singular landscapes. It is much more than just a pit stop, so we take a look at some of the best things to take some time to see, do and explore in Bolivia. If you make it to the end of this article, we’ve shared additional links to diver and and learn more about this incredible country.
Islands of Lake Titicaca
Coming from Peru, one of the easiest ways to experience Bolivia is by spending a few days in and around Lake Titicaca. On the Peruvian side, one of the biggest highlights is the Floating Islands. These islands are formed by laying layers of locally-growing reeds on top of each other to create a floating bed. The islands currently number 120, and just a short trip away is the Bolivian side of the lake. Plan a visit the lively town of Copacabana, before setting sail on the still waters of this altiplano lake before reaching the Island of the Sun. “La Isla del Sol,” in Spanish, has a rustic charm filled with ancient secrets and mysteries of cultures long ago.
Get lost in La Paz
La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. A heady mix of indigenous culture, ancient histories and modern living. Those with strong stomachs can sample some of the local street food at one of the many night markets. Our daily excursions is one of the best ways to discover all of the untold tales of La Paz and the highlights of the city. Here you learn of the merging of pagan and Christian religious beliefs, the Pachamama earth goddess, ritualistic ceremonies and lots more. This sprawling mass of ramshackle constructions is also home to some of the weirdest and most wonderful architecture in all of South America. La Paz has started to attract architects and architectural historians to marvel at its idiosyncratic glory.
Uyuni and the salt flats
Most people who plan a trip to Bolivia do so to visit the otherworldly expanse of the salt flats. Located near the crumbling settlement of Uyuni, you will pile into a 4×4 driven by a local expert guide on a 3 or 4-day adventure into the salt flats. Our specialized guides will take you through the bandit country where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out when they were on the run. There’s also the opportunity to stay in a lodge made entirely out of salt bricks, visit the fish island, covered in countless species of cacti. Of course, you find yourself on the never-ending plain of salt, which stretches as far as the eye can see. Make sure you stop and have some fun taking optical illusion photos, and pay a visit to the train graveyard when you arrive back at Uyuni.
Top Day Hikes in Torres del Paine National Park Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park is considered the 8th Wonder of the World. The spectacular nature park is located in Chile’s region of Patagonia and is a masterpiece of huge mountain peaks, bright blue glacial lakes and glistening glaciers.
As one of the few unspoiled corners of the world, hiking in Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most thrilling adventures. While many seasoned hikers come here to take on the challenging 4-day Patagonian W-trek, there are a number of great and more accessible day hikes in the Torres del Paine National Park.
Below are a few of our favorite Torres del Paine hiking trails that take you deep into the intact wilderness of the Torres del Paine National Park and show you the wonders of beautiful Patagonia.
The towering Horns make for an unforgettable backdrop when hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
♦ The towering Horns of Torres del Paine National Park
Approx. length of this Torres del Paine hike: 2.5 miles / Estimated Time: 2-3hrs / Difficulty: Easy / Hiking highlight: Horns of Torres del Paine & Salto Grande Waterfall
This short Torres del Paine hike in the heart of the National Park takes you to see the famous Horns of Torres del Paine. It’s the perfect introduction to hiking in the Torres del Paine National Park. A scenic drive passing by the Sarmiento and Nordenskjöld viewpoints will take you to the starting point of this half-day hike. The terrain throughout the Horns Viewpoint trail is relatively flat and easy-going with only one section of the hike having a slight ascent.
Accompanying you for the duration of the hike will be the eye-catching view of the huge ‘cuernos’ (horns) of the Paine right in front of you.
Explore the beauty of Torres del Paine National Park in half a day
Torres del Paine National Park’s beauty is ever-present along this short hike where you will also be able to stop off at the Salto Grande Waterfall during the hike. The fairy-tale setting of the Salto Grande Waterfall is spell-binding, as the water drops 50 feet through a narrow chute from the blue waters of Lake Nordenskjöld into what eventually turns into Lago Pehoé. From the Salto Grande Waterfall the trail continues along the shore of the picture-perfect Nordenskjöld Lake until you arrive at the Horns Viewpoint. Here you’ll be able to appreciate a unique, up-close view of the impressive massif.
Stop & admire the magnificence of the Salto Grande Waterfall
♦ Admiring the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park
Approx. length: 7.5 miles hiking Torres del Paine / Estimated Time: 2 hrs sailing & 4hrs hiking / Difficulty: Moderate / Hiking highlight: The iconic Grey Glacier
With your feet firmly on dry-land having crossed the scenic Lake Pehoé from the Pudeto Dock, you’ll head out towards the western part of the Torres del Paine National Park. The trail winds its way through the charming Cañadon del Viento Valley before beginning to gain some altitude. Once reaching the highest part of this Torres del Paine hiking trail, you will be able to take in the scenery of Lake Grey and the Grey Glacier.
The Grey Glacier which covers an astounding area of 100 sq. miles is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest continental stretches of ice.
Experience Patagonia’s beautiful Grey Glacier by boat
You will also be able to see Cerro Paine Grande and the Cordón Olguin, which is part of the westernmost range of Torres del Paine National Park. Descending along the hiking trail to the lake shore you’ll be able to enjoy great views of the glacier before embarking on an unforgettable boat journey across Grey Lake. While the view of Grey Glacier from the high viewpoint and from the shore of Grey Lake is nothing short of spectacular, sailing next to the glittering wall of ice is an unforgettable experience. From this unique vantage point you will be able to fully appreciate the puzzle of turquoise, blue, white and crystal clear ice that forms this awe-inspiring glacier and free floating icebergs that pass by.
Sail across Lago Grey for an up-close view of the vast Grey Glacier / Source
♦ Hiking Torres del Paine to the Base of the Towers
Approx. length: 11.2 miles / Estimated Time: 7-8hrs / Difficulty: High / Torres de Paine hiking highlight: views of the 3 granite towers
Although being one of the more challenging Torres del Paine day hikes, the route to the base of the Torres is certainly one of the most rewarding hikes in the Torres del Paine National Park. The hike sets off from the Laguna Amarga entrance where you will begin to hike up a steep ascent next to the Ascencio River, until reaching the Paso de los Vientos (Pass of the Winds).
Experience breath-taking views of Patagonia
After passing through dense forests, you reach the most challenging point of the trail as it winds up through a moraine section of loose rocks. Here you will often face the strong Patagonian winds of Torres del Paine.
Having ascended through this difficult terrain and battled against the winds, you will arrive at the lookout point. Here you will experience the classic, breath-taking view of the Torres del Paine National Park which also makes for one of the most picturesque places in Patagonia to have your boxed lunch. Having soaked up the magnificence of the Torres del Pain, you will descend along the same trail to the starting point at Laguna Amarga.
Hiking to the base of the Towers in Torres del Paine is one of the most rewarding experiences
♦ Exploring the French Valley of Torres del Paine National Park
Approx. length: 10.7miles / Estimated Time: 8 hrs / Difficulty: High / Torres del Paine hiking highlight: Pehoé Lake crossing & view of the French Glacier
Arriving at the Pudeto Dock you will board the catamaran for a spectacular 30 minute journey across the calm waters of Pehoé Lake. This is perhaps one of the most unforgettable Patagonian boat journeys that you will have as the stunning turquoise waters reflect the magnificent mountainous landscapes around you. Having crossed Lake Pehoé you’ll set out along the Torres del Paine hiking trail that passes by the slopes of the Paine Grande and along the shores of Skottsberg Lake.
Hiking Torres del Paine to the French Valley viewpoint
One of the remarkable features of this particular Torres del Paine hiking trail through the National Park is revealed once you arrive at the French Valley viewpoint that sits at the foot of the Monte Paine Grande.
Here you will be able to enjoy enchanting views of the French Glacier while listening to this incredible glacier rumbling. As well as becoming a spectator of the avalanches that can often be seen here. The French Valley viewpoint is situated in a natural amphitheatre and is one of the best places in Torres del Paine to enjoy a panoramic vista of the surrounding mountain landscape. Returning along the same hiking trail, you will be treated to another Pehoé Lake crossing where you will once again be able to bask in the glory of the landscapes of Patagonia’s stunning Torres del Paine National Park.
With the mighty Andes, stunning Pacific coastline, the highest, driest desert on the planet, turquoise mountain lakes, massive glaciers, rolling vineyards and the remote Easter Island; Chile has a mind-blowing combination of landscapes and experiences. Legend in Chile has it that once god had finished creating the heavens and the Earth, a little of everything was left and through a hole in His pocket, mountains, deserts, lakes, glaciers, volcanoes and valleys fell and created the amazing Chilean landscapes. The slim ribbon of Chile compresses an extraordinary array of terrains between its Andean spine, the coast of the Pacific Ocean and even further to the mysterious Easter Island. A country of geographical extremes, Chile has an unimaginable wealth of sights, adventures and travel experiences!
Discover the magnificent highlights of Chile // Photo by LaiQuocAnh
See the mighty granite peaks of Torres del Paine
The Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited and well-known destinations in Chile and rightly so. Rugged, hard to reach, windswept and the wild expanse of the Torres del Paine National Park provide a dramatic and unforgettable adventure. Read more about exploring Torres del Paine…
The Horns of Torres del Paine // Photo by Marc Pagani
Explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert
Home to one of the most unique and spectacular landscapes in the world, the Atacama Desert will not disappoint. For those travelers wishing they could travel to another planet but don’t want to wait around for space travel to develop, the 40,000 square mile desert in northern Chile is the next best thing to experiencing life on Mars. Read more about visiting the Atacama Desert…
The Atacama’s magnificent landscape of Moon Valley // Photo by Yoann Combronde
Discover the mysteries of the remote Easter Island
One of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, Easter Island which is also known as Rapa Nui has for centuries fascinated all those who have visited this secluded island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Situated some 2,300 miles west of Chile and 1,100 miles from the nearest neighboring island, the island has an area of just 64 sq. miles making it smaller than the Federal District of Washington! Read more about traveling to Easter Island…
Just some of Easter Island’s many Moai statues
A cosmopolitan experience in Santiago de Chile
Chile’s capital city of Santiago de Chile has one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the world. Through the gaps between the modern and traditional buildings of central Santiago, you can catch glimpses of the mighty Andean peaks that watch over the city. Read more about visiting Santiago de Chile…
Santiago de Chile’s stunning cityscape // Photo by Tifonimages
Admire the Osorno Volcano & Chile’s Lake District // Photo by McKay Savage
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Adventures in the Chilean Lake District
Get adventurous in Chile’s Lake District
Traveling along the winding roads of Chile’s Lake District passing snow-capped volcanoes, lush green valleys and shimmering lakes, this is one of South America’s most picturesque areas. Located two-thirds of the way down the country and consisting of 3 main national parks, the Lake District in Chile is the perfect destination to enjoy the great outdoors. After a long day hiking through the national parks or kayaking across its glacial lakes, you can relax and discover the outstanding local cuisine, especially seafood as well as the region’s rich cultural past as the historic homeland of Chile’s indigenous Mapuche people. Make sure to spend some time in Puerto Varas where two towering snow covered volcanoes, the Osorno and Calbuco, stand above the charming town and its scenic Lago Llanquihue. Located just over 14 miles from the hub of Puerto Montt and retaining its small town atmosphere, Puerto Varas is a great base for exploring the outdoor adventures in the region and the Lake District’s Bavarian heritage. Read more about Chile’s highlight destinations…
Admire the Osorno Volcano & Chile’s Lake District // Photo by McKay Savage
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Experience Santiago de Chile
A cosmopolitan experience in Santiago de Chile
Chile’s capital city of Santiago de Chile has one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the world. Through the gaps between the modern and traditional buildings of central Santiago, you can catch glimpses of the mighty Andean peaks that watch over the city. This surprising, cosmopolitan and sophisticate city is a joy to walk around with each of Santiago’s neighborhoods having its own flavor, character and tone. Although Chile’s capital city is often overlooked and is used as a springboard to explore the rest of the country, we recommend taking some time to discover the heartbeat of Chile. The infectious energy of Santiago will take you to soak up the city’s coffee culture, stroll through its leafy suburban parks and admire the seamless mix of colonial and contemporary architecture. If you’re looking to spend some time out of the city, lush valleys that overflow with some of the country’s most celebrated wineries and vineyards surrounding Santiago. Read more about Chile’s highlight destinations…
Santiago de Chile’s stunning cityscape // Photo by Tifonimages
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Encounter Easter Island
Discover the mysteries of the remote Easter Island
One of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, Easter Island which is also known as Rapa Nui has for centuries fascinated all those who have visited this secluded island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Situated some 2,300 miles west of Chile and 1,100 miles from the nearest neighboring island, the island has an area of just 64 sq. miles making it smaller than the Federal District of Washington! Despite its small size, Easter Island and its Rapa Nui National Park will not disappoint. The hundreds of Moai statues scattered across the island accompany you as you explore and unlock the secrets and mysteries of this intriguing destination in Chile. But, you’d be wrong in thinking that Easter Island is just about seeing the Moai statues, as this Polynesian Island has so much more to offer. Whether you’re piecing together the history of the Birdman cult, letting your imagination run wild with the myths and legends of the island and extraterrestrial life, hiking up one of the island’s three volcanoes or relaxing on the white sand of Anakena Beach; visiting Easter Island is a travel experience like no other! Read more about Chile’s highlight destinations…
Just some of Easter Island’s many Moai statues
Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect trip to Chile.
Travel to the Atacama Desert
Explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert
Home to one of the most unique and spectacular landscapes in the world, the Atacama Desert will not disappoint. For those travelers wishing they could travel to another planet but don’t want to wait around for space travel to develop, the 40,000 square mile desert in northern Chile is the next best thing to experiencing life on Mars. Otherworldly rocks, hypnotizing salt flats and the driest climate in the world; the Atacama Desert gives travelers unique experiences from sunrise to sunset. From visiting the 80 hissing El Tatio Geysers one of the highest geyser fields in the world, at first light where the eruptions can reach up to 19 ft., to watching the sunset over sand dunes as tall as skyscrapers in Moon Valley, the Atacama will have you glued to the spot in awe. As your day in the desert draws to an end, the Atacama Desert has one last spectacle to show off as it rolls out the most sublime star cloths in the night sky. This is perhaps one of the best places to go stargazing as the perfectly clear sky above provides the evening’s entertainment courtesy of shooting stars, sparkling galaxies and dreamy constellations. Read more about Chile’s highlight destinations…
The Atacama’s magnificent landscape of Moon Valley // Photo by Yoann Combronde
Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect trip to Chile.
Visit the Torres del Paine National Park
See the mighty granite peaks of Torres del Paine
The Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited and well-known destinations in Chile and rightly so. Rugged, hard to reach, windswept and the wild expanse of the Torres del Paine National Park provide a dramatic and unforgettable adventure. Often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied from a number of day hikes of varying difficulty to horseback riding through the vast landscape of the National Park. Its massive granite peaks, huge glaciers, electric blue glacial lakes and cascading waterfalls will capture your attention everywhere you look. The pointed granite peaks of Los Cuernos del Paine (Horns of Paine) have become one of the most defining characteristics of the National Park, rising up to over 8,530ft. these dark tusks are simply spectacular and are even more breathtaking when you hike to their base. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer scale of the scenery and Torres del Paine National Park but we can assure you that you will be spoiled with breathtaking panoramas and travel experiences which will blow your mind. Read more about Chile’s highlight destinations…
The Horns of Torres del Paine // Photo by Marc Pagani
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South America’s Most Unique Island Vacations
If you’ve ever spent time wondering how Machu Picchu came to be, or how the first explorers felt when they reached the top of Mount Fitz Roy, you know there’s something irresistibly alluring about the idea of a unique experience. Luckily for us, getting to those sweet island vacations in South America‘s most unique places is as easy as booking a flight or boat ride with one of our travel specialists. Whether its speaking to descendants of stone-age settlers or seeing the world’s rarest animals, we’re sure that the Galapagos Islands and Easter Island combine beauty, precious ecosystems, and cultural significance into truly unique experiences waiting for you.
Crab seen during an Island Vacation
♦ Easter Island, Chile
An Easter Island vacation isn’t just one of the most unique trips to South America, it’s one of the most unique and remote trips in the world. The volcanic island, once called ‘Tepito Ote Henua’ meaning ‘center of the world,’ rests 2,300 miles off of Chile’s Pacific Coast. The chance to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s extreme remoteness, rich Polynesian culture, and massive moai statutes, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The beautiful Easter Island, or Isla de Pascua, was settled by two canoes full of Polynesians over 1,000 years ago. Legend has it that as the islanders began to seep across the tiny island’s coastlines (from the 10th to 16th centuries), its iconic moai statues started to slowly appear. The some 900 moai statues that symbolize the islands history range from 6 to a whopping 65 feet. Standing below them as they peer over the ocean connects travelers to the magic and stillness of the well-preserved history. Don’t be fooled though – the mystery surrounding these impressive monolithic statues isn’t the only thing that makes Easter Island one of our top places to visit in 2016. The unbelievably untouched beaches, balmy climate, and quaint Easter Island hotels, make it one of our favorite places to soak in history and relaxation.
Easter Island’s subtropical climate is shaped by pacific winds and ocean currents, so we suggest visiting this Pacific treasure during the warmer months (January and February) for surfing, biking, and all things beach related. For Easter Island tours that hike through island’s lush green expanse, try the cooler months of July and August.
The unique Galapagos Islands also happen to be volcanic, nestled into the Pacific Ocean, and a renowned World Heritage Site. Instead of Chile though, this fascinating archipelago lies just about 620 miles from the coast of Ecuador. Charles Darwin brought this extraordinary chain of islands to fame after using Galapagos Islands facts in his world-famous evolution theory – but it’s a myth that scientists and researchers are the only people who can enjoy their wonder and majesty. With Class Adventure Travel, a vacation to the Galapagos Islands is as easy as booking any other trip to South America!
Galapagos Sea Life
The Galapagos’ extremely isolated location fosters the world’s most unique endemic species, dynamic ecosystems, and breathtaking cruises. Dancing penguins, kissing fur seals, ocean-going iguanas, and blue-footed boobies are only four of the many species you’ll encounter which only thrive on the archipelago’s 20 islands. Even lodging during your stay in the Galapagos is a unique experience in itself as travelers board luxurious boats where educated guides lead a tranquil cruise through the heart of these diverse islands.
Because they’re so close to the equator the Galapagos Islands only have dry and wet seasons, which to many people’s surprise, are both wonderful times to visit the islands. The dry season, from June to December, is the best time to jump into a Galapagos tour for snorkeling, catching the colorful display of sea life, and bird watching. Whales, penguins, and jumping dolphins dot the blue skies and waters during this exciting time of year as the Humboldt current brings nutrients to the islands. The wet season, from January to May, is filled with short showers that renew verdant landscapes and signal a different version of new life. As eggs hatch, watch newborn wildlife stretch their legs and explore the islands for the first time – right alongside you!
If all of this adventure has you ready for more, think about following South America’s most unique islands with one of it’s greatest landmarks. Customize your Galapagos islands vacation with a trip to the unforgettable site of Machu Picchu or another unique destination on the mainland of South America so you can go home with an undeniably unique set of lifelong memories.
Galapagos Wildlife
Thanks for visiting our Central & South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan a trip to South America’s unique Islands.
